1
New Zealand Rugby announce ground-breaking Pasifika strategy
By Ned Lester
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced a ground-breaking five-year Pasifika strategy on Friday, which was led by Pasifika, for Pasifika with the hopes of seeing an increase in opportunities at all levels of the game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Four pillars (pou) set the strategy’s tone: Kelekele (preparing the soil), Tot? (planting the seed), Tubu (growing our Pasifika people) and Lalanga (strengthening the shared vision of NZR and Pasifika people).
NZR will support the Provincial Unions, Super Clubs and clubs with how the strategy can inform their efforts in embracing and supporting the Pasifika community.
NZR Chair Dame Patsy Reddy said the strategy expresses NZR’s commitment to empowering Pasifika people by infusing Pasifika values into their rugby environments.
“This strategy represents our collection of visions and aspirations for Pasifika in rugby,” Reddy said. “It is our commitment to see environments where Pacific people can flourish and ensure our sport is responding to the specific needs of the Pasifika community.
“Pasifika have made an immense contribution to rugby in New Zealand, particularly on the field. The strategy is tasked with supporting New Zealand Rugby and wider rugby community to provide a range of pathways for Pasifika on and off the field.”
The importance of the initiative being Pasifika-led was highlighted by NZR Tausoa Fa’atasi Co-Chair and NZR Emerging Director Pauline-Jean Luyten. A statement from NZR revealed the extent of the consultation process, with over 20,000 hours being volunteered by professional and community Pasifika players, their families, coaches, referees, directors and administrators across Provincial Unions and clubs.
ADVERTISEMENT
“NZR is showing it can do things differently and the co-design process was that point of difference,” Luyten said. “Being Pasifika-led is a step toward rebalancing the vaka and nurturing the v? (the relational space between people or groups), ensuring we feel valued and belong in the rugby system. This strategy is about us and has been crafted with us.”
“Faka Malo ‘aupito (thank you) to our k?inga (family) and communities who were involved with the consultation process. Your shared lived experiences were integral to the strategy’s development. We also acknowledge our non-Pasifika for their open hearts and desire to work as a collective.”
The strategy comes with a plan for implementation and will inform NZR’s annual strategies moving forward.
Former All Black and NZR Pasifika Engagement Manager Saveatama Eroni Clarke highlighted the importance of the strategy and the opportunities it will promote.
ADVERTISEMENT
“For many years Pasifika have made a significant impact towards on-field success and I am thankful for our trailblazers who have paved the way. I’m so proud of this achievement, it’s a historic moment for our Pasifika rugby communities. I am excited to witness the outcome of this strategy and see our people pursue their aspirations.”
Lot of words with very little information. Poor writing
NZRUs biggest threat in the Pacific is Rugby League. NRL is taking a whole lot of oval ball talent that traditionally would have come Unions way. Next is European Rugby and their money. There are more and more scouts who head down here to get them young, and more Pacific networks and communities in Europe than ever before. Good luck!
Stick to the values of community and help foster leaders of Pasifika ppl off the field to becoming leaders for everyone, and the game will remain strong regardless.
I wonder what examples NZR has tried to lead with Maori already. They have their own board representatives I think.
Will be interesting to see what plans they have. Would love a new All Black side to be formed alongside Maori ABs as part of the movement.
Oh, like a Pasifika ABs? That’ll be an interesting talk with multiple fishhooks in there lol.
What? A “new All Black side”? There’s only one AB side bud. Explain.
The danger is that it could take away from the Samoan and Tongan national sides.
But that would be good for the NZRU. Players get to play international level rugby, with the accompanying wage bump. But they don’t get locked into another national side’s programme.
Also, it shows those players that they are being looked at for higher level duties within New Zealand.
Is this artical about pinching Moana Pacific’s best players to play only for the All Blacks?
No. Why bother? The ABs will always be an attraction for Kiwi born pasifika kids, & others, across all NZ Super Rugby franchises.
I hope it’s focused on making sure that New Zealanders, who have Pasifika ethnicity, play for the All Blacks rather than other Pacific national sides, or increasingly other tier one sides.
Yes KELLY, this article is about New Zealanders will strong Pasifika individuality. They type that were needed to form the beginning of Moana’ existence, but which should slowly start shifting to Tongans and Samoans, along with other islands. possibly some French controlled, and players like Mauvaka.
Give it a break. This meme is sounding like a stuck record.